In light of the growing challenges facing cultural heritage in the region, Qatar National Library is pleased to invite you to participate in the 4th edition of the Doha Conference on Combating the Illicit Trafficking of Cultural Property — a leading regional platform for safeguarding heritage and fostering collaboration among local and international stakeholders. This edition is organized in partnership with UNESCO’s Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen and the Embassies of the United States, France and Italy in Doha, and is part of the Library’s Himaya program to prevent the loss of cultural heritage in the MENA region.

Conference Themes

The fourth edition focuses on strengthening institutional readiness and enhancing regional and international cooperation to protect cultural heritage throughout all stages of crises. 
Key topics include:

• Global challenges and the role of legal and ethical frameworks, as well as relevant international conventions.
• Governance of cultural heritage in the contexts of crises and illicit trafficking.  
• Pre-crisis strategies: risk assessment, emergency planning and preventive documentation.
• Crisis response: cultural first aid, damage documentation and the role of international organizations.
• Post-crisis recovery: restitution of looted property and the role of museums, archives and libraries in rebuilding.
• Successful case studies and experiences from the Arab world and beyond.

Participants

The Conference will host leading international experts, policymakers, representatives of cultural institutions, and regional and international organizations. It aims to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen collaborative efforts to protect cultural heritage across the Arab region and globally.

Registration

Please complete the registration form here and send it to: qnlpac@qnl.qa 

Note: The detailed conference program will be published soon.

Date: 21 - 24 September 2025

Time: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Language: Arabic and English

Target Audience: Cultural heritage professionals, government officials, law enforcement, legal experts, NGOs, international organizations, academics, media and students.